Devil in Disguise Read online

  Realistically, I knew she’d never put up with it. She needed to go back to work soon, and there was no reason for her not to, except for my own insecurity. I hated the thought of what she’d been through, and the shit luck she’d experienced lately. She’d been attacked in her old office at the healthplex, then again at the VA. I’d gone back with her once, a couple days ago, when she’d had to turn in some paperwork. She’d tensed walking through the lobby where Magda had been murdered, but a few minutes later she’d been right back to normal. I wasn’t sure I’d be the same in her shoes. She was stronger than anyone I knew, and I loved her all the more for it.

  Loosening my tie, I meandered upstairs to change before dinner, pausing as I crossed the threshold to our bedroom. Kate stood next to the closet, and I watched as she tucked something inside, then straightened. She turned and startled when she saw me, her hand flying to her throat.

  “Oh, my God, Gavin!”

  “Sorry, babe.” I pushed off the doorframe and strode toward her, pulling her against me as she melted into my embrace. “Didn’t mean to scare you.”

  “You’re too quiet,” she complained without heat, turning her face into my throat.

  I ran my hands over her back, enjoying the way she felt against me. “How was your day?”

  She leaned back a bit and tipped her chin up to me, an indecipherable look in her eyes. “Good.”

  “I’m glad.” I dropped a kiss on her lips. “Thank you for texting me and letting me know where you were.”

  “Only because you asked so nicely.” Her lips curled into a smirk. “And I hadn’t even had a chance to tell you I was home yet. I only beat you by a few minutes.”

  I’d been wondering, but I didn’t say anything. I opened my mouth to ask about dinner, but I didn’t have a chance.

  “It’s occurred to me that you’ve been very—” She cleared her throat. “—vocal about your feelings, but I haven’t. And I should. I mean, I need to. I’ve been thinking about us a lot recently, and I... I really like you. Even though it’s only been a few weeks, I feel like I can see something between us—a future, maybe.”

  She paused and licked her lips, but I didn’t dare interrupt. I knew how monumentally important this moment was, that she come to terms with her feelings all on her own. This was a huge step for her—putting herself out there and offering herself to me, heart and soul. I stared at her, and she shifted uncomfortably, her gaze darting over my shoulder as she bared herself to me.

  “I just... I really like you. I know I already said that, but I mean it. I know you care about me, and I... care about you. I feel closer to you than I’ve ever felt with anyone else, like you just... get me.”

  “I like to think so,” I murmured, my hands tightening on her waist.

  “So, um... I hope you don’t mind me using your closet,” she said, indicating it with a jerk of her head.

  My eyes narrowed at the abrupt change of topic. “It’s yours as long as you want it.”

  She peered up at me. “I bought something today.”

  For some reason, it seemed important to her that I know this. “Glad your shopping trip was beneficial.”

  “I bought a dress.”

  Not quite following, I started to nod, then froze as the implication sunk in. She’d spent her day at a bridal salon.

  “A white dress,” she clarified, still watching me closely.

  “Oh?”

  Not the most intelligent response, but I couldn’t come up with anything else at the moment. I wanted to ask her exactly what that meant, what she wanted, but I let her lead the conversation, gradually taking me wherever she wanted to go.

  “I just... I wanted to tell you that I...” Her voice cracked, and she licked her lips before she continued. “You told me you loved me.”

  Her gaze darted back to mine, and I nodded slightly but stayed silent. “I didn’t say it back to you then, but I should have.”

  I opened my mouth to speak, but she stopped me with a brief shake of her head. “I was scared—afraid of putting myself out there again and getting my heart broken. I think I’ve known for a while, but I wasn’t ready to admit it. But I don’t want to spend another day without telling you how I feel,” she whispered shakily. “I don’t want to spend another day without you.”

  I admired her so much for being brave enough to trust me with her heart. “You’ll never have to,” I promised as I cupped her beautiful face in my hands. “I will never hurt you, and I’ll never leave you.”

  She stared up at me, her teeth cutting into her lower lip, looking vulnerable as hell. “I love you.”

  My heart swelled at the softly whispered words, and I pressed my forehead to hers. “I love you, Kate.”

  Her lips were soft and sweet beneath mine as I dipped my head and our mouths came together. Her lips parted on a sigh, and I curled my tongue over hers, stroking and tasting. Before I was ready, I forced myself to pull back.

  “You said you bought a dress?”

  Her cheeks pinkened in embarrassment. “I know it sounds crazy and impulsive, but... yeah. I did.”

  “Good.” I gave a single nod, then grabbed her hand and hauled her across the room toward my dresser. I dug inside for a moment as I spoke. “Then it’ll go perfectly with... this.”

  I held up a small blue box, and her eyes widened, her free hand coming up to her mouth. “Are you... Is that...?”

  I released her hand just long enough to open it, revealing the diamond inside. “I told you I was serious. I knew you were the only one I wanted.” I dropped to one knee and gestured between us. “I just want you to know, this is not at all how I pictured this happening in my head.”

  A huge smile exploded over her face. “It’s perfect.”

  I pulled the ring from the box and grabbed her left hand. “Kate Winfield, would you do me the honor of being my wife and spending the rest of your life with me?”

  “Yes!”

  Her hand trembled in mine as I slipped the ring on her third finger, then rose to my feet and pulled her in close. “I love you so much.”

  “I love you, too.” She stretched up to kiss me before pulling back and admiring the diamond that sparkled in the light. “I can’t believe this. It’s so... wow.”

  “I had a really awesome proposal planned,” I complained good-naturedly. “Now you’ll have to tell everyone I proposed in the middle of the afternoon in our bedroom.”

  Her eyes turned dark with desire, and her teeth raked over her lower lip as she planted her hands on my chest and pushed me toward the bed. “Let me make it up to you—in our bed.”

  And if that wasn’t the best thing I’d ever heard, I didn’t know what was.

  Epilogue

  Gavin

  I stood at the window, adjusting my cufflinks as my gaze skimmed over the guests assembled in the white chairs that had been placed in curved rows around the gazebo in the backyard. The slight breeze lifted the ribbons, making the flowers dance as the late afternoon sun spilled its golden glow over the yard. In another hour or so, it would be dark and all the tiny white lights strung overhead would illuminate the small dance floor and the dozen tables that had been set up for dinner.

  Though I’d have gone along with whatever she wanted, Kate had chosen to keep things simple. She loved the gazebo in our backyard and thought it was the perfect place to get married. I had to agree. It was now strewn with ribbons and flowers, and a long white aisle runner led from the back door of the house up to the steps of the gazebo. In less than half an hour, I’d be standing at the end of that runner, getting married to the love of my life. I couldn’t fucking wait.

  “Last chance.”

  I swiveled my head toward Rob, who lounged in the doorway, a teasing smile on his face as he flipped his keys around his fingers.

  “Get the fuck outta here.”

  He laughed and pocketed the keys before coming closer. “You know I’m kidding. I wouldn’t let you run out on her.”

  I knew he wouldn’t. Be
sides, I’d have to be cold and dead in the ground to ever give Kate up. She was it for me, and I couldn’t wait to have her by my side for the rest of our lives. The past three months had been a whirlwind of activity as we planned the wedding, but I got to come home to her every night, so I was calling it a win.

  Kate was still at the VA, but I’d resigned from Walker and Raines. Larry hadn’t been charged with anything, but I hadn’t been able to lie to myself any longer. A little over a month ago, I’d taken Con’s offer and now worked for QSG, primarily covering the firearms classes as well as offering legal counsel when needed. I planned to keep my license so I could continue to practice—on my terms this time.

  Rob adjusted my tie. “Jesus. Did you get dressed in the dark?”

  “Whatever.” Part of me was nervous as fuck, and my hands were still shaking. It wasn’t the marriage part that worried me, exactly. I couldn’t explain it. I was a ball of nerves, nervousness and anticipation and a little fear all mingled together rolling around in my stomach.

  “I’m just messing with you.” Rob stepped back to inspect me, then clapped a hand on my shoulder. “You all good?”

  No. “Yes.” Or I would be as soon as I saw Kate.

  “Good. I’ll see you down there.”

  My best man headed out the door, and the sound of his footsteps trailed off as he headed downstairs. I drew in a deep breath and glanced out the window again. I recognized Xander, Lydia, and their little girl, Alexia, in the front row, Blake seated next to them. I imagined Victoria was with Kate, helping her get ready. My sister and her family were there, as well as Kate’s family. We’d cut the guest list at fifty people, and it looked like they were all here.

  “Can I come in for a second?”

  I turned to my father. “Of course.”

  He stepped close and gazed out the window. “Looks like everything’s ready.”

  “Yep.”

  He stared outside for another long moment before meeting my eyes. “You all ready?”

  “I am.”

  “Good.” He gave a little nod. “I’m glad you chose her.”

  “Me, too.” Kate meant more to me that anything, and I would spend the rest of my life showing her how much I loved her.

  “Your mother would be happy.”

  Emotion clogged my throat at the mention of my mother. She’d only been gone for a little over a year, but her absence today was profound. I wished with all my heart that she could have had the chance to meet Kate, because I was sure they would have loved each other. I swallowed hard. “I think so, too.”

  He pulled me into an awkward hug. “I’m proud of you.”

  Emotion burned at the backs of my eyes, and I tightened my hold on my dad. Hearing him say that meant everything.

  A long moment later, he pulled away and tipped his head toward the window. “I’d better get down there. Good luck, son.”

  I nodded, still trying to get my emotions under control. Glancing in the mirror one last time, I took a deep breath and checked my reflection. I smoothed my suit jacket, then straightened my tie one last time before I got ready to head downstairs. A soft click drew my attention to the door—closed now, Kate leaning against it.

  My gaze flitted over every inch of her, clad in a lacy white dress. I struggled for words. “Don’t you know it’s bad luck to let me see you before the wedding?”

  “I don’t care.” She pushed off the door and I met her halfway, pulling her into my arms. “We’ll make our own luck.”

  I stared down at her. “Is everything okay?”

  “I just needed to see you.”

  Not wanting to smear her makeup, I dropped a soft kiss on her forehead. “I’m right here, babe. I’m not going anywhere.”

  “Ever?” She tipped her head up, a little smile teasing the corners of her mouth. There was no mistaking the worry in her eyes, though, and I lifted my hands to frame her face.

  “Ever. You.” Disregarding the pink lipstick coating her pretty lips, I dipped my head and kissed her between words. “Are. Mine.”

  I pulled back to look at her, those big blue eyes cutting straight to my heart as a smile lit her face. “You ready to do this?”

  I dropped my hand and laced my fingers with hers. “Let’s go.”

  Hand in hand, we headed down the stairs and toward our future—together.

  THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR reading Devil in Disguise! I hope you love Gavin and Kate as much as I do. If you enjoyed this story, don’t forget to check out my other sexy alphas and their sassy heroines in the Quentin Security Series!

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  Also—typos are the bane of my existence. If you find one, feel free to let me know so I can fix it!

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  Plus, you won’t want to miss the next book in the Quentin Security Series! Read on for a sneak peek at Vince and Jana’s story, Heart of a Devil

  Sneak Peek at Heart of a Devil

  Chapter 1

  Vince

  I was seriously not cut out for this shit. The bar crowd had never been my scene, and it was even less so now that I was surrounded by a bunch of immature twenty-somethings who thought they were hot shit. I fought to keep my expression neutral as I watched the scantily clad bodies dry humping each other on the dance floor.

  I ripped my eyes away from Gemma and glanced around the crappy little hole in the wall bar. Louie’s was a favorite post-show hangout, but for the life of me, I couldn’t figure out why. The place reeked of booze, sweat, and perfume, and a sticky substance that I prayed was alcohol coated the floor in spots. My boots made a disgusting sound as I shifted, returning my gaze to Gemma. My principle—the woman currently under my protection—was on the dance floor shaking her skinny ass to some country pop song one of her friends had released a few months ago, and the dude behind her was doing his best to get his hand up her short as fuck Daisy Dukes.

  Gemma Malone’s band members were scattered around the small club, each scouting a new piece of tail to take home for the evening—or the morning, in this case, considering it was past midnight. I’d spent the last ten hours at the venue playing babysitter for her during the final show of her tour. As if that wasn’t bad enough, I’d been obligated to accompany her to Louie’s when she decided she wanted to come out and unwind with the rest of the band. It was fairly local, thank God, so I was only about an hour from home. All I wanted to do was herd Gemma out the door, drop her off at her house, then pour myself into bed for a couple of hours before I had to be back at her place. It was already creeping close to one o’clock, and I was supposed to be back over there by eight to take her to the studio.

  The guy plastered to Gemma’s back was getting bolder, his hand moving between her thighs, and I wondered if she was stupid enough to let him feel her up on the dance floor. Gemma was the chosen poster child for Magnolia Way records and a supposed role model for little girls. I snorted. She wouldn’t be much of a role model for long if one of the people standing around the floor waving their cell phones got a picture at just the right angle.

  Unfortunately, it was my job to keep her safe, both from the person sending her threatening letters and from herself, so I stomped across the dance floor and wedged myself between them. “Time to go.”

  Big blue eyes glared up at me. “What the hell, Vince?”

  I tipped my head toward the door. “Let’s go before you get in trouble.”

  Her face fell into a petulant expression. “I wasn’t doing anything wrong.”

  “Yeah, come on, man,” the drunk kid wheedled. “We was just havin’ fun. Right,
babe?”

  We both ignored the drunken idiot, and I focused on Gemma. “You were practically fucking him on the dance floor. Unless you want to end up a headline on tomorrow’s tabloids, I suggest you get your shit and go.”

  She rolled her eyes and stomped away, but not in the direction of the front door as I’d hoped. I followed her to the bar where one of her fellow bandmates sat with a beautiful brunette draped over his lap, her tongue currently trailing up the side of his neck. A tumbler of what appeared to be whiskey sat on the bar in front of Brandt, and he lifted a hand, signaling for the bartender to deliver another as he watched Gemma approach.

  He slid the glass her way, and she slammed it back, then wiped the back of her wrist across her mouth, all the while glaring at me. Brandt Meacham smirked, his gaze bouncing from me then back to Gemma. “Bodyguard cracking down again?”

  Gemma threw back another shot as soon as the bartender placed it in front of her, then turned her attention to Brandt. “I think I’m up for a ride.”

  He chuckled around the woman trying to suck his face off. “Suit yourself, Gems.”

  She pinned me with her brilliant blue eyes, one eyebrow lifting toward her hairline. “What about you?”

  I clenched my molars together, barely managing to rein in my irritation. “No.”

  One corner of her mouth kicked up in a smirk. “What? Don’t think you can last eight seconds?”

  I stared down at her, unwilling to rise to the bait. A couple silence-filled seconds later, she let out an irritated little huff and spun on her heel, then stomped toward the mechanical bull in the corner. Fucking great. This night just kept getting better and better.

  Beside me, Brandt shoved the brunette’s head away from his face and glanced at me. “You can take off, Ink. We’re all headed back to my place after this.”